FG Unveils Official Subjects for New Basic and Secondary School Curriculum

The Federal Government has released the authentic list of subjects for Nigeria’s revised Basic and Senior Secondary School Curriculum, urging teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to disregard fake versions circulating online.

In a statement, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) said:

> “We call on all stakeholders to ignore any unauthentic lists that differ from the official and approved subjects.”

The curriculum reforms, part of the Federal Ministry of Education’s National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), aim to reduce academic overload and improve learning outcomes across the country. The Executive Secretary of NERDC, Professor Salisu Shehu, signed the notice on September 8, 2025, confirming that implementation will start at the beginning of each three-year education cycle—Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1).

NERDC also announced that nationwide teacher training and sensitization programs would commence immediately to ensure smooth adoption of the new curriculum. The reforms seek to make Nigeria’s education system more practical, flexible, and skill-focused from early learning stages.

Primary School Subjects

Primary 1–3 (9–10 subjects)

English Studies

Mathematics

One Nigerian Language

Basic Science

Physical & Health Education

CRS/IS

Nigerian History

Social and Citizenship Studies

Cultural & Creative Arts (CCA)

Arabic Language (Optional)

Primary 4–6 (11–13 subjects)

English Studies

Mathematics

One Nigerian Language

Basic Science and Technology

Physical & Health Education

Basic Digital Literacy

CRS/IS

Nigerian History

Social and Citizenship Studies

CCA

Pre-vocational Studies

French (Optional)

Arabic Language (Optional)

Junior Secondary School (JSS1–3, 12–14 subjects)

English Studies

Mathematics

One Nigerian Language

Intermediate Science

Physical & Health Education

Digital Technologies

CRS/IS

Nigerian History

Social and Citizenship Studies

CCA

Trade Subjects (choose one): Solar PV Installation & Maintenance, Fashion Design & Garment Making, Livestock Farming, Beauty & Cosmetology, Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs, Horticulture & Crop Production, Business Studies

French (Optional)

Arabic Language (Optional)

Senior Secondary School

Core Subjects

English Language, General Mathematics, One Trade Subject

Citizenship and Heritage Studies

Digital Technologies

Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics

Physical & Health Education, Health Education, Foods & Nutrition

Geography, Technical Drawing, Humanities

Nigerian History, Government

CRS/IS, One Nigerian Language, French, Arabic

Visual Arts, Music, Literature in English, Home Management, Catering Craft, Business, Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, Economics

Trade Subjects (choose one)

Solar PV Installation & Maintenance

Fashion Design & Garment Making

Livestock Farming

Beauty & Cosmetology

Computer Hardware & GSM Repairs

Horticulture & Crop Production

The Federal Government, on September 1, said the curriculum review is part of a wider plan to prepare Nigerian students for the future. While some teachers and parents have criticised the sudden rollout of the new curriculum, the government insisted that implementation will commence with the 2025/2026 academic session.